Union's Califf stays put as trade talk continues to circulate

CHESTER -- Trade rumors involving the Union and their captain continued Monday, but Danny Califf remains with the club.

Union boss Peter Nowak -- after a 3-2 loss to New York -- confirmed Sunday what had been bandied about online a day earlier, that another MLS club had made two offers to the Union concerning Califf.

Nowak did not say which club contacted the Union, but he made sure to specify that "it's not Vancouver," to whom the Union traded Sebastien Le Toux Jan. 31.

Advertisement

Web-based reports indicate Chivas USA remains the main player for Califf's services, with the 32-year-old centerback heading west with 19-year-old forward Jack McInerney for Chivas' Juan Pablo Angel in one rumored swap. The 36-year-old Angel, once a highly priced designated player in MLS, has scored 69 goals in six seasons with three MLS clubs.

One Internet report said Los Angeles-based Chivas had prepared to make an official declaration of Califf's acquisition at 1 p.m. Eastern Time Monday, but that deadline came and went.

"I heard there was a press conference today at 10am," Chivas general manager Jose Domene said via his Twitter account. "Really? Because nobody here knows about it..."

The Union's captain for two of their three seasons, Califf had been a lineup staple prior to this season. He missed only three games in two years. However, in 2012, Califf has been sidelined more than half the games (five) the Union have played (nine).

Since the Union (2-6-1) are entertaining trade requests for Califf - and Nowak indicated as much when he said Sunday that he had not turned down any offers - it's fair to assume the Union could be looking to trim some salary. Only five defenders were paid more handsomely than Califf during the 2011 season, when he received a base salary of $250,000.

Also, the Union's willingness to listen to trade offers for Califf indicates their comfort level with the rest of their rostered defenders. Carlos Valdes, who wears the armband when Califf is off the field, is a force in the Union's central defense. Sheanon Williams signed a contract extension during the offseason that runs through 2015, and rookie Raymon Gaddis has earned high praise from the Union's technical staff.